Asking people to do things
In this short post, we will explore three ways to ask people to do things for you or get something from them. Each structure is based on the same basic phrase “Could you…?”, or “Do you…?”.
The crucial point, therefore, is to understand the slight difference in meaning by using alternative forms.
Example set 1
a) Could you lend me your electronic dictionary (please)?
b) You couldn’t lend me your electronic dictionary, could you?
c) Couldn’t you lend me your electronic dictionary?
Sentence a) is the default question structure when asking.
Usage:
In most situations, the speaker envisages:
• there is no issue with asking
• that it is a straightforward request
• that the person being asked can easily accommodate the request
Sentence b) is an indirect way of asking, using a negative sentence and a positive question tag at the end, with a rising intonation.
Usage:
In most situations, the speaker envisages:
• there some issue with asking
• that it is not a straightforward request
• that the person being asked may struggle to accommodate the request
Sentence c) is a negative question structure, with a rising intonation.
People should use this structure with caution!
Usage:
In most situations, the speaker is reacting to a surprising situation in which their imagined reality and the actual reality are misaligned. The underlying tone is one of disbelief, or annoyance, or a mixture of both.
Example set 2
a) Do you know where my glasses are?
b) You don’t know where my glasses are, do you?
c) Don’t you know where my glasses are?
Sentence a) is the default question structure when asking.
Usage:
In most situations, the speaker envisages that:
• the listener may likely know the answer
Sentence b) is an indirect way of asking, using a negative sentence and a positive question tag at the end, with a rising intonation.
Usage:
In most situations, the speaker envisages that:
• the listener may not know the answer, but it is still worth asking
Sentence c) is a negative question structure, with a rising intonation.
People should use this structure with caution!
Usage:
In most situations, the speaker is reacting with surprise as if the listener should know the answer.
Summary
• Use structure a) when you perceive the request/question to be straightforward
• Use structure b) when you perceive the request/question to be somehow difficult for the listener.
• Use structure c) sparingly, to show surprise at your disbelief.
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